Elaine Lindsay, Digital Integration Specialist, Speaker, Podcast Host, TROOL Social Media, BBPTVShow, Suicide Zen Forgiveness Podcast
After losing a friend of mine due to suicide at age 16, a life-changing MVA, multiple personal losses, surgeries, and hospital stays in the double-digits, Elaine is uniquely suited to this new normal. Her history of adapting and reinventing herself like the phoenix rising from the ashes… comes from being granted multiple second chances in life.
As an early adopter, starting with the original Hyperion in the late 1980s. Elaine has been online since the dial-up modem. That's earlier than most people even discovered the digital world. Nevertheless, Elaine ensures she is always on the cutting edge.
Elaine does her research and only works with the best of the best. With more than three decades in the digital world, Elaine has more experience than most. She shares her wealth of knowledge and hard-earned expertise with colleagues and customers alike.
Elaine speaks on Digital Integration, Social Media Optimization, and your mindset's role within it all. Elaine works with those 40+ and addresses the growing entrepreneurial senior market. She has been seen on CTV Ottawa, The New RO, CBC, Mashable, and live on the comedy stage at YukYuk's Ottawa and Don't Quit Your Day Job Comedy Club.
She is featured in these best-sellers: Understand Social Media, Solving the Social Media Puzzle and Social Media Myths: Busted. In addition, her articles have been published in the following magazines Marketing Media and Money (former columnist), Brainz Magazine, Women Rock Magazine, Online Footprint Magazine, and more.
On the personal front, Elaine hosts a suicide survivor podcast and speaks on Resilience, Tenacity, Never Giving Up and living a #gratitudeattitude. Elaine is an eternal optimist who believes, "In any pile of horse-dung… there's got to be a pony!"
Elaine lives with her husband and Diva Chi, their four lb furkid. They have two adult children and five grandchildren. You can find Elaine @Corner of Search and Social.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
I pivot back and forth from LinkedIn to Twitter as I find they serve different communities. Both apps have very engaged followers, and they require different approaches, which allow many opportunities to meet new people and learn.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
I currently serve as the digital integration and social media optimization advisor within our company. Much of my time is spent researching and testing out new apps and approaches. This is always with the aim of aiding in the visibility of small businesses in the search results. There is an esoteric component, which makes all I do more interesting.
Providing the impetus that challenges me to look for useful modalities outside the normal channels within my area of expertise. Sharing all of this with customers sustains my #gratitudeattitude feeding my intellect, heart, and business purpose.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
Translating the digital world into plain speak for customers and prospects alike, sharing my knowledge, successes and failures with empathy, and humour as I TROOL-y understand all of the new technology can be intimidating.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
"Let your freak flag fly!" - Dave Rendall, author of The Freak Factor, Co-Author of Pink Goldfish.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
First is my deep sense of curiosity. I want to learn everything I can to share what I found. Be able to offer a listening ear. Perhaps a little insight. I also believe the internet should be available and safe for all.
Helping small businesses harness the web via search and social media, including video, audio and voice. Offering these options and maintaining the safety and privacy of the customers, as much as can be expected in the digital space.
The continuous development of all areas online means there is always something new to learn. Always another challenge, another puzzle to crack. This is inspiring and motivating me. Also keeps me focused on the future.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
Over the years, my curiosity has brought me to interview many amazing guests. First starting in 2012, on my Business show and the Suicide Zen Forgiveness podcast much later.
Learning about so many amazing guests' digital journeys has been a joy. Over decades, the bonds I've built with these guests, customers and colleagues alike have enriched every facet of my life.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
I'm happy to meet people in whatever format is possible, from in-person to online, as an early adopter and beta tester of video chats like Hangouts, Zoom, Meerkat, Blab etc. I saw as early as 2011 that real life is not the only way to connect deeply with others.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
I am curious to the extreme and always look for the bright side. Being resilient and tenacious has kept me going in many tough times.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
I am enough, as is each of us. Be true to yourself in all ways!
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
Mark S Babbitt, president and senior partner at WorqIQ, CEO and Founder of YouTern. "Top 100 Leadership Speaker" and "Top 50 Leadership Innovator" at Inc.com.
Michelle Valberg is a Canadian Nikon Ambassador and Canadian Geographic Photographer-in-Residence specializing in wildlife, landscapes and portraits.
Sekou Andrews, Internationally Acclaimed Spoken Word Artist, Playwright, Actor, Poet.
In their own way, each of these people has shown me a different set of skills both in business and in life. Yet, all have empathy, compassion and kindness in common.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
Hosting the Suicide Zen Forgiveness podcast has given voice to so many suicide survivors who share their stories and lightened their burdens. This mission, fueled by my own experiences, has shaped me and developed my empathy and commitment to ending the shame, stigma and guilt that surrounds the subject. Speaking on this and other mental health subjects is my way of giving back.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you managed it?
The pandemic has slowed business somewhat, which has allowed me to spend a bit more time on the podcast, helping share more stories and giving the opportunity for a little relief to those in need.
The lockdowns gave me time to work with our little chihuahua, who did not have the best start in life. All the confinement has given us a renewed sense of gratitude for those whom we love.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
Yes, to both. I have been fortunate enough to have amazing mentors in my life and have had the honour of mentoring a few people as well.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Always do your research and know your ideal customer: you cannot be all things to all people, so be sure to hone your most important skills and stick with that until you are well seasoned.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Listening to too many of those around you that have not been in your shoes. Listen to your gut, and if you fail, make it a #failabration. Then, pick yourself up, take the lesson and go on.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." - Will Durant, 1926.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
Gary Vaynerchuk has made a huge impact over the last 11 years, and I believe his philosophy is definitely on point. He really believes in working your passion and putting empathy and kindness first.
Tiktok has made it up to the creators who get seen and who get left in the shadows. With their TikTok for Good initiative, people from all walks of life have the opportunity to shine, build community and get their message found and shared with the world. In fact, people can collaborate with each other to improve and add to each other's videos. Growing their audience often exponentially.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
Success is different for each of us. I have learned that picking yourself back up after a mistake or misstep can be a success... Graciously accepting a failure and taking the lesson from that failure is also a success when you go on and do better. Try again. All ways.